First Diocesan Gabriel Project Conference

The first Diocesan Gabriel Project Conference was held on Monday, August 24th at Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg. The day featured keynote speaker, Dr. Marcella Colbert, Respect Life Director from the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Texas. Dr. Colbert and Ann Bierschank, Director of the Respect Life Office of the Diocese of Austin established the National Gabriel Project in 2002.

The day began with 9AM Mass. Fr. Terry LaValley was the main celebrant. Fr. Mark Reilly concelebrated and was assisted by Deacon Frank Bateman, St. Mary’s Cathedral. Linda Proulx, Sacred Heart in Massena proclaimed the first reading. The petitions were read by Mary Pulsifer, Our Lady of Victory in Plattsburgh. The offertory gifts were presented by Donna Steenburg, St. Patrick’s Brasher Falls and Jeanette Perry, St. James, Gouverneur.

The day was made possible by a grant from the Respect Life Collection. St. Mary’s Church in Potsdam coordinated the efforts to bring Dr. Colbert to the Diocese and served as her host. Dr. Colbert began her visit by meeting with the clergy for dinner on Sunday evening at Gran View Restaurant. It was an informal dinner which allowed the priests to speak with Dr. Colbert about the parish-based crisis pregnancy apostolate.

Ninety participants attended the day conference, representing twenty-one parishes. The morning session was mainly teaching by Dr. Colbert. The afternoon session allowed attendees the opportunity to ask questions. Those in attendance were a mixture of those already active in a Gabriel Project parish and folks interested in learning more about the outreach in love to women who have difficult pregnancies.